Pastoral Studies/Counseling
CIP Code: 39.0701A pastoral studies/counseling degree prepares graduates for careers in Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary, Clergy, Community and social service specialists, all other and more. 109 colleges and universities offer this program.
Pastoral Studies/Counseling Salary by College
Nationally, bachelor’s graduates in this field earn a median $42,915 four years after graduating (middle half: $29,185–$58,127). Where you study it matters: across 29 colleges with reported results, pay ranges from $30,430 to $55,360.
Sort by:
| # | College | 4 yrs after | Wage-adjusted | 1 yr after | Median debt | Outcome Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise Bible College Boise, ID | $55,360 | $58,868 | — | — | F |
| 2 | Life Pacific University San Dimas, CA | $52,477 | $47,751 | $37,436 | $21,012 | F |
| 3 | Gordon College Wenham, MA | $52,173 | $45,944 | — | — | D |
| 4 | Nazarene Bible College Colorado Springs, CO | $49,899 | $46,665 | — | — | F |
| 5 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VA | $49,799 | $45,347 | $33,407 | $24,800 | D |
| 6 | Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX | $49,408 | $50,233 | — | — | C+ |
| 7 | Cairn University-Langhorne Langhorne, PA | $47,805 | $48,618 | — | — | D |
| 8 | Trinity Baptist College Jacksonville, FL | $46,933 | $49,954 | — | — | F |
| 9 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA | $46,531 | $42,371 | $34,083 | $22,827 | F |
| 10 | Lee University Cleveland, TN | $45,844 | $50,080 | $35,189 | $25,875 | D |
| 11 | Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, IN | $45,693 | $49,020 | $19,836 | $21,250 | B+ |
| 12 | Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI | $45,288 | $47,751 | $48,916 | $30,956 | F |
| 13 | Evangel University Springfield, MO | $44,988 | $48,237 | $41,357 | $25,000 | C |
| 14 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN | $44,733 | $47,990 | $25,060 | $23,375 | D |
| 15 | George Fox University Newberg, OR | $44,603 | $44,866 | — | — | B |
| 16 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL | $44,522 | $43,743 | $35,426 | $12,180 | D |
| 17 | Central Christian College of the Bible Moberly, MO | $42,051 | $45,088 | — | $25,002 | F |
| 18 | North Central University Minneapolis, MN | $41,979 | $40,099 | $27,370 | $26,250 | F |
| 19 | University of Valley Forge Phoenixville, PA | $40,407 | $41,094 | — | — | F |
| 20 | Southwestern Assemblies of God University Waxahachie, TX | $39,707 | $40,370 | $30,910 | $24,750 | F |
| 21 | Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PA | $38,779 | $39,439 | $35,286 | $22,250 | D |
| 22 | Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MI | $38,298 | $40,381 | — | — | C |
| 23 | Bethel University Mishawaka, IN | $37,149 | $39,854 | $31,046 | $23,125 | C |
| 24 | Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MI | $36,814 | $38,816 | $19,557 | — | C |
| 25 | Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, WI | $36,728 | $38,217 | — | — | D |
| 26 | Oral Roberts University Tulsa, OK | $36,493 | $40,973 | — | $31,500 | C |
| 27 | John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR | $35,601 | $41,953 | $27,996 | — | B+ |
| 28 | Crown College Saint Bonifacius, MN | $32,718 | $31,253 | $26,538 | $24,750 | D |
| 29 | Southeastern University Lakeland, FL | $30,430 | $32,389 | $35,209 | $25,000 | D |
Bachelor’s degrees. Wage-adjusted = pay ÷ √(state wage index). Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data.
What Can You Do With a Pastoral Studies/Counseling Degree?
Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:
Best Colleges for Pastoral Studies/Counseling
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in pastoral studies/counseling.
| # | College | Location | Degrees Awarded | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA | 102 | C+ |
| 2 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 66 | C+ |
| 3 | Lee University | Cleveland, TN | 50 | C+ |
| 4 | Andrews University | Berrien Springs, MI | 49 | C+ |
| 5 | Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary | Kansas City, MO | 37 | C+ |
| 6 | The Master's University and Seminary | Santa Clarita, CA | 36 | C+ |
| 7 | Moody Bible Institute | Chicago, IL | 34 | C+ |
| 8 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary | New Orleans, LA | 32 | C+ |
| 9 | Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown, WI | 26 | C+ |
| 10 | Dallas Theological Seminary | Dallas, TX | 56 | C |
| 11 | George Fox University | Newberg, OR | 48 | C |
| 12 | University of St Thomas | Houston, TX | 47 | C |
| 13 | Northern Baptist Theological Seminary | Lisle, IL | 36 | C |
| 14 | Luther Rice College & Seminary | Lithonia, GA | 25 | C |
| 15 | Valor Christian College | Canal Winchester, OH | 29 | D |
Largest Pastoral Studies/Counseling Programs
Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most pastoral studies/counseling graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.
| # | College | Location | Degrees Awarded | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA | 102 | C+ |
| 2 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 66 | C+ |
| 3 | Dallas Theological Seminary | Dallas, TX | 56 | C |
| 4 | Lee University | Cleveland, TN | 50 | C+ |
| 5 | Andrews University | Berrien Springs, MI | 49 | C+ |
| 6 | George Fox University | Newberg, OR | 48 | C |
| 7 | University of St Thomas | Houston, TX | 47 | C |
| 8 | Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary | Kansas City, MO | 37 | C+ |
| 9 | The Master's University and Seminary | Santa Clarita, CA | 36 | C+ |
| 10 | Northern Baptist Theological Seminary | Lisle, IL | 36 | C |
| 11 | Moody Bible Institute | Chicago, IL | 34 | C+ |
| 12 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary | New Orleans, LA | 32 | C+ |
| 13 | Valor Christian College | Canal Winchester, OH | 29 | D |
| 14 | Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown, WI | 26 | C+ |
| 15 | Luther Rice College & Seminary | Lithonia, GA | 25 | C |
About Pastoral Studies/Counseling
Pastoral Studies/Counseling is a degree program offered at 109 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 1,323 students graduate with this degree.
Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary, clergy, community and social service specialists, all other, directors, religious activities and education, counselors, all other, and 1 more career paths.